Photo: Stanford Declares Itself “The Nation’s Best Athletics Program”

With its 2014 victory, Stanford has taken home its 20th straight Director’s Cup. The Cup, which awards points for every NCAA-sponsored sport, has been around since 1993-94. UNC beat out Stanford for the top spot that first year, but the Cardinal have won every cup since, and now Stanford feels that it has the data to back up a pretty bold claim.

Recently, Stanford Athletics has been best known for a BCS-quality football program, but its the Cardinal non-revenue sports that propel Stanford to the top. During the 20 year run, the Cardinal have taken home NCAA Championships in men’s and women’s cross country, men’s golf, men’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s swimming & diving, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s track and field, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s water polo, rowing, synchronized swimming, and women’s soccer.